05 March 2026
In a significant move to combat the devastating impact of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has announced the commencement of targeted vaccine trials. Starting Thursday, March 5, these trials represent a critical step in evaluating the efficacy of modern vaccines within a field setting.
The current research focuses exclusively on turkeys in England. This species was prioritized due to its extreme susceptibility to the virus; HPAI outbreaks in turkeys typically result in severe clinical symptoms and rapid, high mortality rates. Beyond the ecological toll on wild and captive birds, the disease carries a heavy economic burden, costing the UK government and the poultry industry up to £174 million annually. While the wider vaccination of poultry is currently prohibited in the UK, this 24-week study, conducted under the supervision of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), aims to evaluate how vaccines could be safely and effectively integrated into the UK’s disease control strategy, generate data on vaccine efficacy and contribute to the growing international body of research on HPAI vaccination.
The UK is not alone in exploring these preventative measures. The trials contribute to a growing international body of research, with similar studies currently underway in Italy and the Netherlands.
